ISLAMABAD: After expiry of a deadline given to the protesting workers of Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) occupying busy Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad, the law enforcement agencies launched a crackdown on Saturday morning to evict the demonstrators. After failing to disperse them peacefully, Interior Ministry has called in army to disperse protesters and to bring the situation under control. Islamabad police along with the personnel of the Frontier Constabulary and other law enforcement agencies have launched crackdown against the protesters who have camped out at the Faizabad Interchange for over two weeks. Interior Ministry has issued a notification calling in army to bring the situation under control in Islamabad. The notification says that army has called in line with Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Article 245 (1) of Constitution of Pakistan states that “Armed Forces shall, under the directions of the Federal Government defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so”. Hospital sources say at least four people were killed while 178 others were injured in police operation against protesters at the main Faizabad Interchange sit-in. One man was killed due to firing from former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s house, after the protesters tried to storm the house in Rawalpindi. 30-year-old Jahangir succumbed to his injuries while on the way to hospital. A civilian and policeman have been killed so far in clashes. The injured civilian, who has been identified as Adeel, succumbed to head injuries during treatment. As many as 158 injured were brought to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital for treatment, hospital sources confirmed. This included 50 civilians, 48 personnel of Frontier Corps (FC) and 60 policemen. Within four hours of the crackdown, the security forces in heavy anti-riot gear forced the protesters to retreat, but they seemed to be helpless now as the protesters have re-occupied the Faizabad Interchange despite more than 150 protesters having been arrested. Around 140 people have injured in the clashes that began on Saturday morning when some 4,000 personnel of the police and FC launched the operation to disperse around 2,000 activists of the religo-political party. In a latest move, Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has decided to take all TV channels off the air on orders of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Earlier, Pemra had asked the TV channels to stop live coverage of Islamabad protest. Sources say that authorities have sent a summary to PM House seeking approval for shutting mobile phone service in all major cities of the country. Sources say the suggestion is under consideration as protesters in Islamabad are contacting people in other cities to block roads and stage sit-ins so the authorities think shutting cell-phone service will be helpful. Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said the decision of operation was undertaken keeping in view the court orders. He reiterated that there was no legal justification to remain camped out at Faizabad Interchange in protest after the passage of bill concerning Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (finality of the Prophethood) by both houses of the parliament. He added the government is making all possible efforts to ensure ‘minimum loses’ as result of the ongoing crackdown. Protesters at Faizabad have reportedly increased their demands and are now demanding resignations from the whole federal cabinet. Announcements made from several TLP leaders suggest that protesters will now only disperse when the whole federal cabinet will be dissolved. Agencies/NNI
